J. R. Briggs

Becoming a Just Church

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Becoming a Just Church is not just another book about justice. It's like reading a memoir, a prophetic challenge, and a practical guide all in one. Adam Gustine writes neither from the high vantage point of the ivory tower of academia nor from a chip-on-the-shoulder condescending edge as if to display his superiority. Instead, he writes clearly with a posture of vulnerability and humble confidence rooted in praxis. Adam doesn't merely write about the importance of embodying justice within a local church; he lives it. This book will be helpful for any church or leader who isn't merely interested in doing justice because it's trendy, but instead who is committed to embodying the way of justice for the sake of God and his shalom.”

Does God Really Like Me?

Christian Living

“Through engaging stories, lived wisdom, formative practices, and incisive reflection questions, Geoff and Cyd Holsclaw carefully and compassionately offer answers to many of the significant questions we ask of God, others, and ourselves. This book will help you see many deeply held and inaccurate cultural perceptions about God and replace them with the truth about who he really is—the one who sees, knows, and delights in those he has created. If you know in your head that God loves you, but you wrestle in your heart and soul with whether God actually likes you, I'm confident this resource will help you to catch a glimpse of the smiling face of your loving heavenly Father.”

Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus

History & Biography

“Through engaging storytelling and clear writing, Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus helps you feel as though you are actually touring Bonhoeffer's home with Laura M. Fabrycky--and with Dietrich himself. As you view Bonhoeffer's home, this book will impact how you view your own home as well, and will press you to ask, 'What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian today?' I learned a great deal reading this book; you will too.”

Liturgy in the Wilderness

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“Liturgy in the Wilderness offers us a fresh and engaging perspective on the Lord's Prayer. Though this widely known prayer can be uttered in less than thirty seconds, this book shows us how it can—and should—impact every single area of our lives. Marotta takes us by the hand and guides us to see that while we may never get out of the wilderness, we can always move forward in hope. This book is thoughtful, filled with wise insights and engaging stories. And best of all, Marotta doesn't merely write about this important message in his book; he lives the message, too.”

Open-Hearted People, Soul-Connected Church

Christian Living

“Words like authenticity and vulnerability can be deeply beneficial, but in today’s culture they can also quickly devolve into pithy buzzwords that hold little meaning. However, Tom’s thoughtful, practical, and hopeful perspective breathes life back into these important words. Reading this book will require you to press into wisdom, courage, and patience, but here’s the good news: it’s completely worth the effort. If you long to live your life with authenticity and vulnerability—and not merely talk about it—this book will help you do just that.”

Our Church Speaks

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“In a world captivated and mesmerized by the cult of celebrity, this book helps us to reorient our hearts to experience the saints as ones that not only speak to our past but also shine the light and guide the path to our future. We stand on the shoulders of brothers and sisters in the faith who've faithfully shown us the way—and this resource helps make them accessible and relevant to our everyday lives. Our Church Speaks is a useful tool full of stunning artwork and meaningful prayers to help us to sit at the feet of saints young and old and learn from those who are a part of the great cloud of witnesses. For the past few years, I've been shaped and formed by these visuals online. I'm thrilled this collection has been published into a book we can now hold in our hands!”

Praying for Your Pastor

Church Leadership & Ministry

“There are few gifts more precious that congregants can give their pastor than ongoing, faith-filled intercessory prayer. By providing specific and practical ways to intercede on behalf of pastors, Eddie Byun helps to enhance that gift even more. I wish every congregant of every church would read this book. It would build up the body of Christ in deeply transformative ways.”

The Bright Life

Women

“In our frenetic, stress-filled, work-drunk culture, Jen Wise offers a hope-filled way forward. Rest. Space. Health. Stillness. Quiet. These are ingredients in the recipe for true life in Christ. Jen’s charming stories and warm writing style make this book easy to engage with, but her direct challenge to live a counter-cultural life by embracing the unforced rhythms of grace reminds us it will be costly. But as Jen also reminds us: it’s worth it.”

The Vulnerable Pastor

Church Leadership & Ministry

“While many pastors are convinced that limitations and messes in ministry are a curse, Mandy Smith shows us that it's in these spaces that God seems to do his most transformative work. Mandy finds the rare and beautiful balance of raw-yet-hopeful and humble-yet-confident vulnerability, while extending grace to the people who seem to need it most: pastors. In today's ministry culture, fraught with the perception of perfection, Mandy offers pastors refreshing permission to be human. But most refreshing of all, she doesn't just write about her message. She does what the most effective authors do—she lives it too.”

What Does It Mean to Be Welcoming?

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“It's not just what Travis Collins wrote or why he wrote it that makes this a valuable book. It's also how he wrote it. In What Does It Mean to Be Welcoming? you'll find the complex topic of sexuality and the church unpacked with a central view of Christ and a purposeful, compassionate view of humanity. As a friend of Travis, I am not surprised by this. He writes what he lives and he lives what he writes—with evident conviction, wisdom, thoughtfulness, patience, and humility.”

What Does Your Soul Love?

Prayer & Spiritual Formation

“In an age of frenetic activity and endless surface distractions, Gem and Alan provide just what we need: significant and incisive questions to slow us down enough to reflect and ponder. Their questions, along with their matchless wisdom, engaging stories, practical exercises, and creative spiritual practices, seek to soothe the soul and point us to Jesus. This is more than a book; it's a practical manual to cultivate a with-God life. I'll be referring back to these questions time and time again. I'm confident you will too.”

What If Jesus Was Serious?

Bible Studies & Devotionals

“The content—and the style—of Skye's book are unique. But so is Skye. In his consistent and valuable manner, Skye helps us understand the age-old truths of Jesus' call to follow Him, but in new and fresh ways. Clear. Prophetic. Whimsical. Corrective. Insightful. As a visual learner, I loved this book. And I'm confident you will, too."”